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DoobieNaq
16th of January 2010 (Sat), 11:35
I'm very new to photography and I've been snapping as many pictures as I can. I don't intend to be professional, but I would love to learn the absolute most that I can, so any c & c is more that welcome. My major task at the moment is to capture the sharpest image possible with my equipment (XSi and ef-s 18-55mm IS; ef-s 55-250m IS). As I'm so new, I'm not sure what information would help you guys to critique.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/LyleJNaquin/Canon%20XSi/Outside_115.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/LyleJNaquin/Canon%20XSi/Outside_73.jpg
vk2gwk
16th of January 2010 (Sat), 17:55
Welcome to the forum!
They are both nice pictures with an attractive subject and composition but, ... they are not sharp.... or at least parts that should be in focus are not (or in the top one it may also be motion blur caused by the leaves moving in the wind). The second picture is better in this respect than the first one.

One of the first things you have to look into is the relation between "aperture", "focal length" and "distance from the subject" in relation to "depth of field". And - with leaves that may move in the wind - the shutter time as well (which influences the other elements mentioned)

In short: read a good book or tutorials on the internet about exposure and depth of field and you'll soon understand for yourself why some elements in the above picture are sharp and some are not. This is not to send you off with a sop but really, understanding these basics is essential for becoming a good amateur. :)
DoobieNaq
16th of January 2010 (Sat), 20:36
I've previously read up on aperture and focal length, and I have a basic (limited) understanding of what they do, but I will definitely look into "distance from the subject" and how this effects the others. Thanks a bunch for the suggestions.

In the first pic, it shouldn't be blur due to shutter speed. It was set at 1/800, so would you say that I need to up the aperture (pic: f/6.3). Would that get more of the leaves focused? sharper?
vk2gwk
16th of January 2010 (Sat), 20:41
Yes a smaller aperture (larger figure) will increase the depth of field. To see the relation between the various parameters have a look at this on line depth of field calculator (http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html). Or if you happen to have an iPhone or an iPod Touch you could download an application that does just that.
pickupman92
17th of January 2010 (Sun), 00:33
HDR that second photo and it'll be a winner for me. Nice job at getting down and level with it.